| What is Videoconferencing? |
| Videoconferencing is where two or more people communicate with
each other from two or more geographically or physically separated
locations using audio and video (like a phone call with video). Using
a camera, microphone, monitor, and a videoconference codec (compressor
- decompressor) at each location, we are able to participate in live,
interactive videoconferences with other sites with similar equipment.
Each sites' codec is connected to other sites using digital transmission
systems, such as ISDN (dial-up digital phone lines) or the Internet. |
| |
| What is ISDN or H.320 Videoconferencing? |
| This is the traditional form of videoconferencing. ISDN or
H.320 videoconferencing allows people to connect their videoconference
equipment over digital
phone
lines. This is a very stable standard. However, it is not easily
populated to individual classrooms. Extra equipment must be purchased
to make the system mobile. School districts calling on the WA-K20
network enjoy toll-free calling. Dialing
a site
off of
the
WA-K20
netwok
(off-net)
will incur
long
distance charges. |
| |
| What is IP or H.323 Videoconferencing? |
| This is a newer standard for videoconferencing. IP or H.323 videoconferencing
allows people to connect their videoconference equipment over the
internet. Thus there are no long-distance charges on or off the WA-K20
network. These systems are easily mobile. They can be connected to
any network port in a classroom. Other benefits of H.323 can be better
audio and video. Much work has been put into this standard to make
it the standard of the future. When specific attention is paid to
network design, this standard is very stable also. |
| WA-K20 and NCESD continue to research the latest developments in
videoconferencing equipment and networking solutions. We present
our current recommendations here. |
- Local Area Network Design: solutions that support H.323 transport
across your LAN.
- Firewalls: not exactly H.323 friendly, we present solutions that
have worked in the test lab or at other sites.
- Codecs: endpoints that we recommend and why, software versions,
vendor information and more.
|
~Exerpts for
the material on this page have been graciously contributed by
Wisconsin VCS Videoconference Services |
